Snake ID (sorry no photos)

[Tyler Holm]

Sorry, this it not a photo sharing thread, but you guys are really good at IDing things, so I thought I'd start here.

I was pulling weeds from the yard the other day and noticed a small snake scurring about. I picked it up and it had a dull red stripe along its underbelly. The snake was 4-5 inches long and had a greyish/silver color. Its head almost looked transparent\clear\light gray.

The snake had a few spots and markings on its back, in darker gray color or light black. I placed the snake on the driveway and it wiggled awefully fast, but really didn't go anywhere. It was slithering, but nearly motionless. Bet the concret was a little warm for it.

Any ideas? Was is a baby?

I'm not a big snake fan, but I'm not afraid of them either. If the wife came across that, that would be the end if it.

[Dotch]

Sounds like it might be a northern redbelly. These little snakes used to frequent the farmyard where I spent some of my boyhood days near Stewartville. I played with them when I could find 'em much to my Mom's horror. Cute little fellers and we called them "ribbon snakes" because they were slender and small. The Wisconsin DNR & MN DNR have good sites w/photos:

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/herps/snakes/nredbelly.htm

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snapshots/snakes_turtles/redbellysnake.html

[Duffman]

You came close to ID'n it yourself, it's a redbelly. Max length is 10".

[Tyler Holm]

Awe, yes... It's a redbelly. That's exactly what it looked like. Thanks guys.

Now I know...